You may be cutting down on your heating bill, separating your recycling from your garbage, and even composting your food scraps in the backyard, but there are still more ways to cut down on your carbon footprint. One very effective method of doing this is by getting a green roof, also called a rooftop garden, on your flat roof. Green roofing is the perfect, low-maintenance way to cool your building, increase air quality and beautify your business, all naturally on your flat roof. 

What Goes Into Building One

A rooftop garden requires surprisingly little preparation, and the biggest issue tends to be with the weight of the soil and the water therein. For this reason, be sure to talk to a roofing contractor (such as one from AccuSeal Roofing Ltd) before moving forward with a design to make sure that your roof won't cave in. From there, the only prep is installing a protected membrane roof system and drainage, which is a bit more expensive than your typical roofing solution, but the cost is quickly offset by energy savings. 

Environmental Benefits

The foremost benefit of green roofing is the reduced cost of heating and cooling. The plants on the roof will absorb sunlight and protect your building from the heat, unlike a black tar roof or asphalt shingles. Also, the plants help to reduce the effect known as urban heat islands, which increase the temperature in a city in particular, causing higher energy costs for the entire city. Increased air quality is another benefit, as the plants on the roof replenish the air around your building, and this can have significant health benefits. 

Economic Benefits

In addition to the cost savings from heating and cooling, a green roof can have other monetary benefits for your business, as well. Most obviously is the beautification effect, which can draw in customers to see the "bionic roof" on your building. Also, a green roof can be used as a secondary fire prevention system due to the large amounts of water stored in the soil. Third is the fact that the plants can purify rainwater runoff, which can then be used for a number of different applications, from watering indoor plants to purifying further and drinking. 

A rooftop garden is a great way to make use of the roof space that many business owners allow to go barren year after year. This space can be used for anything from rainwater collection to fire prevention, and can even greatly cut down on your heating and cooling costs. However, the biggest advantage to a rooftop garden is the helping hand you give to your planet by putting the power of plants to work for you.